back a step or two. Now there was
another shout greater than the other; the women flourished
handkerchiefs, the men waved their arms above their heads. "Long life to
ye!" "Good luck to ye forever!" "Blessings on ye for a lady!" "Many
thanks to ye, Miss Daisy!" "May ye niver want as good!" "Hurra for the
flower of Melbourne!"--Shouts various and confused at last made Daisy
comprehend they were cheering _her_. So she gave them a little courtesy
or two, and walked off again as fast as she thought it was proper to go.

She went home and to the library, but found nobody there; and sat down
to breathe and rest; she was tired. Presently Ransom came in.

"Hallo, Daisy!--is nobody here?"

"No."

"Have you seen your things yet?"

"My things?--what things?"

"Why your _things_--your birthday things. Of course you haven't or you'd
know. Never mind, you'll know what I mean by and by. I say, Daisy----"

"What?"

"You know when papa asked you this morning why you didn't go yesterday
to Crum Elbow?----"

"Yes."

"Why didn't you tell him?"

Daisy hesitated. Ransom was cutting a pencil vigorously, but as she was
silent he looked up.

"Why didn't you tell him? did you tell him _afterwards_?"

"Why no, Ransom!"

"Well why didn't you?--that's what I want to know. Didn't you tell
anybody?"

"No, of course not."

"Why didn't you, then?"

"Ransom----" said Daisy doubtfully.

"What? I think you're turned queer."

"I don't know whether you'd understand me."

"Understand _you_! That's a good one! I couldn't understand _you_! I
should rather like to have you try."

"Well, I'll tell you," said Daisy.

"Just do."

"Ransom, you know who the Lord Jesus Christ is."

"I used to; but I have forgotten."

"Oh Ransom!"

"Come, go ahead, and don't palaver."

"I am his servant," said Daisy; "and he has bid me do to other people
what I would like to have them do to me."

"He has bid you! What do you mean?"

"You know what I mean. It is in the Bible."

"What's in the Bible?"

"_That_;--that I must do to other people what I would like to have them
do to me."

"And I suppose you thought I wouldn't like to have you tell? Well you're
out, for I don't care a shot about it--there! and you may tell just as
fast as you're a mind to."

"Oh Ransom! you know--"

"What do I know?"

"It's no matter," said little Daisy checking herself.

"Go ahead, and finish! What is the use of breaking off? That's the way
with girls;--t